Random Thread About A Pen Name...

Virector · Mar 2, 2009

I've been seeing a lot of polls about people trying to decide which name to use. Well, this thread is different because... it doesn't contain a poll!

OK, I'm really sorry for posting another one of these threads but I hope to get a few opinions. As some of you know, I'm a guy, but what a lot of you won't know is that I'm a guy named Vivian. I'll have you know I've been teased for having "a girl's name" (it was originally boy's name when used with this spelling) since as far back as I can remember, that I don't even care anymore. But anyway, that's besides the point. The point is, I want a memorable writing name I can actually work with.

I have two main concerns-- firstly, a lot of people consider my first to be name a girl's name. :Shrug:

And I don't want people to think I'm a girl when I'm not. Secondly, most people from English-speaking nations can't even BEGIN to pronounce my last name, so it's not really practical.

So what am I proposing? Well, I think it would be cool to split my first name in half so that my pen name becomes... wait for it... Viv Ian. Or V. Ian. Or something like that. :idea:

I think it sounds alright.

The only reason I made this thread is that I would like some opinions to find out if you think the name Viv Ian works for a writer. Would you remember the name if you ever picked up a book I wrote? Or is it as stupid as my brother called it? I'm just trying to figure out a name I can actually work with, which doesn't depart very far from my actual name. Thoughts please? I don't expect many, but a few opinions would be nice.

Thanks in advance. I have to go to sleep now, so I'll get back to y'all tomorrow.

Ms Hollands · Mar 2, 2009

Hmm, I like the Viv part, but I think the name Viv Ian sounds a bit strange. Viv is good because like Vivian, it could be female or male, so you get to encompass audiences who prefer authors of a particular sex. I think your surname should have less "i" in it since your first name has that already. Maybe others think the opposite.

Ken · Mar 2, 2009

...if you want to go with a guy guy American name go with "Vic."
(Lots of gangsters in old movies have this name.)
Viv, to me is nice, though, for reasons April stated.
My own pen name is actually a girl's, intentionally.
It works well for what I do, though I don't specifically write from a F. POV.
More so from a sexless one, allowing me a lot of leeway

Gary Clarke · Mar 2, 2009

I had originally intended writing under the pen name Gary Clarke ( as a tribute to a much loved uncle) but the publishing process happened so damned quickly that I never got around to requesting it! I'm glad I didn't now, as the amount of public venues my publicity schedule includes would have made the whole thing crazy confusing. The point of this long winded rubbish is to let you know that I think sticking very closely to your real name is a great idea.

Viv sounds good, but Viv Ian sounds like a joke name ( sorry!) Have you a middle name? Vivian John or Vivian Paul or something? So you could combine V. MiddleName as your pseudonym? Or Viv MiddleName? ( I prefer just the V. to Viv. Just my tuppence worth!)

BTW, I went to school with a guy called Vivian. His name didn't
make him girly, let me tell yah!

James81 · Mar 2, 2009

I think you should go with Vivian and **** the haters.

I know that I ALWAYS read the blurb about the authors in every book I read, so a lot of people will realize that you are a guy from that.

Plus, Vivian is an awesome name. If you have a cool enough last name, then it would work really well.

Embrace who you are.

Sophia · Mar 2, 2009

I agree with Gary Clarke that Viv Ian sounds like a joke name. I think you should go with Vivian - it's your name, and as you become successful, readers will associate the name with you. It reminds me of early interviews with China Mieville, which often began by mentioning he wasn't a woman. After reading his books and a lot of interviews, the name China to me is now firmly male, and immediately makes me think of him.

Vivian to me makes me think of Vyvyan from The Young Ones. Nothing girly about it.

Maryn · Mar 2, 2009

I suspect that not enough people realize that Vivian is ever a male name, especially younger people whose experience is that Vivians are 100% female. (Unless you manage to introduce yourself to everyone.)

I agree that Viv Ian sounds made-up and slightly silly. What do you think of Ian Vivian? Ian is recognizably male. Your real name is still in there. And your difficult surname is out of the picture.

Maryn, who removed her difficult first name not realizing 'Maryn' was also difficult

James81 · Mar 2, 2009

Or, depending on what your MIDDLE name is, you could use it.

Let's say your full name was Vivian Richard Jones. You could pull a "V. Richard Jones" by making your first name an initial. I think that would work well.

But really, unless you are writing books on how to be a man or something, I don't think people thinking you are a female will hurt your sales.

Virector · Mar 2, 2009

Thanks very much everyone!

I do realize now after sleeping it off that Viv Ian sounds rather silly, so I'll stick to Vivian, then I'll think of something clever to do with my last name.

Feathers · Mar 2, 2009

My opinion...

Viv Ian sounds a little silly, although Viv by itself sounds okay, if still a bit girly.

Ian Vivian sounds okay

If you choose to stick to Vivian, don't forget that you'll be calling yourself Vivian in e-mails and stuff. A lot of innocent people are going to end up assuming you're a girl.

My favorite so far is the V. Ian one, except I might try switching it up, going Ian. V. (Last name initial.) Or Ian. (Middle name initial) (last name initial.) So say your name is Vivian Aiden Baferblackstikkrets. (You said it was unpronouncable, so...

) That would give you either: Ian V.B, or Ian A.B. This way you have your real name in there, without the girl/boy mix up, and without running around with a name you yourself aren't used to.

If that made any sense.

-Feathers

Virector · Mar 2, 2009

Thanks Feathers! I appreciate the advice, but I've decided I am not concerned about whether or not people will think I'm a girl, because if I ever become successful enough, they will eventually know I am not a girl, regardless.

Ms Hollands · Mar 3, 2009

Hang on, what's that I see in your signature? Vee? Why not use that?

Wayne K · Mar 3, 2009

Virector said:
Thanks Feathers! I appreciate the advice, but I've decided I am not concerned about whether or not people will think I'm a girl, because if I ever become successful enough, they will eventually know I am not a girl, regardless.

Why not let them think one thing and find out the other, then they'll wonder why you have a girls name. If nothing else you wont be boring.

Kaylee · Mar 3, 2009

There is six of us kids in our family. I took a part of each name and made my pen name.

Life is what happens, while you're busy making other plans. --- John Lennon

Random Thread About A Pen Name...

Virector

The only one

Ms Hollands

Cow lover

Ken

Gary Clarke

Knackered

James81

Great Scott Member

Sophia

Maryn

I Tried

James81

Great Scott Member

Virector

The only one

Feathers

emerging from the writing cave

Virector

The only one

Ms Hollands

Cow lover

Wayne K

Kaylee

New kid, be gentle!